Maxine Lacey

My name is Maxine, I am a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist with over 10 years experience, offering a very relaxed, down to earth, grounded style of therapy. I understand that life can be challenging , and that the best of us can lose our way or sense of direction at times. My aim is to try and restore the balance in life and to help you free yourself from whatever problems are bothering you, or keeping you awake at night. I do not offer any alternative therapies, so no tree hugging or crystal stroking, but I do offer a very warm, open, genuine approach, relying at times upon both my own intuition, and my own life experience. I truly believe that emotional intelligence cannot always be learned, and believe that I have a natural ability to 'tune in' to people. I provide one to one therapy, both in my own home and via home visits to suit individual needs.

I have a beautiful pointer/weimaraner dog who is very loving and sensitive and often joins clients for the session.  Many people find this very comforting, however I do understand that not everyone likes dogs and she will only come in if the client is happy with this situation.

My approach is mainly humanistic, whilst integrating elements from other approaches, both psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy. I like to think of myself as being a very open minded, non judgemental therapist. My aim is to convey genuine empathy and understanding, and work together with my client, with the absence of any barriers or prejudice, to find realistic solutions to their issues. I have also studied Psychology and am continuing to learn more, as I prefer the more logical approach to therapy. I can work with many emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety,panic attacks, self harm, anger management and others, and can offer support and understanding to many of the issues faced by ordinary people such as divorce, relationship problems, or bereavement.

I am able to provide evidence based strategies(cognitive behavioural therapy) for treatment of depression and anxiety(high intensity) as used in the NHS. I can work with both generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) again using evidence based CBT interventions.

I am able to provide counselling for teenagers, children and young people and have much experience in this area. I have worked in several secondary schools for over 4 years and I am able to work with children and teenagers (age 10 upwards). I have worked with all manner of problems such as low self esteem, bullying, anxiety issues, stress etc with very positive results. I have an easy, relaxed manner with children/young people and am able to help them feel at ease fairly quickly. I have also studied Child Development at degree level

I am able to work with people with relationship issues, we all have a romantic attachment style, some are healthy and some are not. Some people constantly have problems in relationships, and will continue to play out the same patterns in every romantic relationship, even so far as unknowingly choosing similar partners in a destructive manner. I am able to help people establish their attachment style, and work with the client to help change this to positive effect.

I am also able to offer therapy and understanding to victims of emotionally abusive relationships, including sociopathic (anti social personality disorder) ASPD and narcissistic relationships/associations. I have studied both in much detail and fully understand and empathise with the dynamics of these destructive relationships.

Although a certain amount of stress and anxiety can be harmless, and even productive to an extent, as they can keep us alert and focused, excessive stress and constant states of anxiety are harmful to us. The body releases stress hormones into the bloodstream which cannot easily be depleted and can lead to long term damage. Untreated long term depression also keeps the bodies stress system in action, and has even been proven to inhibit growth of new brain cells, to summarize, long term anxiety and depression are really not good for our health. Counselling is one of the ways that emotional and anxiety disorders can be combated, used alone or alongside other treatments such as prescription drugs. Some believe that drugs and counselling/psychotherapy are at opposite ends of the spectrum, whereas they may be used alongside each other in a harmonious manner, if desired. Other treatment, such as standardised low intensity programs of CBT are widely used, and although effective for some, do not always achieve long term results due to their 'one size fits all' nature and due to the absence of one to one communication and therapeutic relationship with the client. People are diverse and are impossible to categorize or to use a standard approach which will suit everyone. One to one therapy provides opportunity for the therapist to ascertain a clients individual needs, and unique way of being in the world, and work with them to form a productive therapeutic alliance which tailors to their individual needs.

Post traumatic stress disorder (CBT)
Panic disorder (CBT)
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (CBT)
Victims of anti social personality disorder (sociopath)
Victims of narcissistic personality disorder

I charge £40 per hourly session, or can offer 6 sessions for £210 if paid in advance

Limited concessions available for students or clients on low income.

If you are unsure about therapy or whether I will be the right counsellor for you, I can have either an arranged informal chat by telephone, or I can arrange an informal 'meet and greet' session for free before you make your decision.

Please feel free to e-mail me with your enquiry, or contact me on either of my numbers, I will always get back to you if you leave a message.

Testimonials

Jayne, aged 46 from Wolverhampton said " I felt as though I was walking through life carrying so many bags, now, through counselling, I finally feel as though I can put the bags down and move forward"

Samantha, aged 38 from Kingswinford said " I feel as though I can now make footsteps in the sand, and that the sand is no longer slipping away beneath my feet as I walk"

John, aged 28 from Kinver "I woke up one day and felt as though I was a stranger in my own head, I realized I needed help to help me overcome my depression, I feel I have achieved that through counselling"

Tina, aged 53 from Telford " I now realise that my father was a sociopath, he tormented my family for years and blamed everyone but himself, he tried to ruin my life. For years, I too blamed myself but now I can see the situation clearly, counselling has helped me to achieve this. I can't change the past, but I have reached a state of acceptance and can now move on and enjoy my life free of this guilt."